I stayed at three hotels during a conference on the Big Island and a vacation in Honolulu. My Big Island hotels were very nice, but always dinging me for things like internet access and phone calls and parking spaces.

We headed to Oahu and arrived at the Renew. Now, it's not a very large hotel in terms of number of rooms. But the rooms themselves were amazing. Intelligent lighting controls, internet access in the form of free wifi and also an in-room PC hooked up to the room's LCD TV. Stylish and modern room decor, great washroom and shower head, super-comfy bedding, all of this was lovely and as advertised on their site.

What doesn't come across on their site is just how above and beyond the staff will go to make your trip a good one. The hotel is a one-minute walk from Waikiki Beach (literally at the end of the block), and if the staff sees you heading out with your swim trunks, they'll make sure you have towels, chairs, umbrellas if it rains, anything. Always friendly, always helpful, always there when you need them.

We also had the occasion to meet Leonor Wong during our stay and she was absolutely fantastic. From making sure we weren't stranded our last evening in town (we booked a flight that was late evening and she made sure we were able to secure a late checkout), to booking a shuttle, to making sure we weren't waiting for it by ourselves. Even just for the breakfast-table conversation.

This is no ordinary hotel. This is the kind of treatment you can only hope for, delivered. If I am back in Honolulu, I wouldn't consider staying anywhere else.

Hotel Renew was a great place to stay because of the people who work there. They really did everything possible to make our stay perfect. We were welcomed at check-in with cold pineapple juice and cool towels, very nice after a long flight from the mainland. We made some special requests during our stay and our needs were always taken care of in a friendly manner. The continental breakfast is nice: good pastries, fruit and beverages. Staying at this hotel made our first visit to Waikki wonderful.

Hotel Renew was more than just a hotel but also an all around great experience.

If you don't read this entire review - at least know this. You will not go wrong booking this hotel. The staff at this hotel is fabulous. I cannot compliment them enough. The location is great and the hotel clean and comfortable.

The Staff:

The staff was ALWAYS friendly and helpful. All of the staff remembered our names. The assistant manager even went to the local store to get milk and cereal for us once she discovered we liked cereal for breakfast. She also picks up fresh pastries every morning for the continental breakfast. So fresh, they are still warm when they arrive.

The Hotel:

Clean, Modern and pretty. There are less than 100 rooms in the hotel so it never seems crowded. A notable exception along Waikiki Beach. One room on each floor has a very large balcony with an ocean view. We were assigned one of these rooms as were my inlaws. I think they might be a bit smaller than the other rooms but it was well worth it!!!

Make sure to check out the continental breakfast. The pastries are great!!!

The rooms are on the small side, with a closet (with a safe), desk, bed and chair. The bed is against the wall so you cannot enter from both sides. However, this is one of the most comfortable beds I have ever slept in (and my husband and I travel an average of 2 weeks out of every month for business so I have slept in A LOT of hotel beds). The bathrooms are nicely sized, modern and clean.

Location:
This hotel is located a block or 2 off Waikiki Beach. Plenty of places to eat and shop in walking distance. You are down at the end of the beach where their are not hotels built directly on the water so there is plenty of beach access. All beaches in Hawaii are public anyway but it is easier if you don't have to go through another hotel to get to the beach.

Feel free to contact me if you have questions.

Like preceding reviews my wife and I had a fantastic stay. Service is what sets this hotel apart. From remembering your name to friendly smiles the staff is wonderful. Leonor (executive housekeeper) is the hotels matriarch. If it was cold outside (not likely in Hawaii) she would make sure you have your mittens. Any request or concern is dealt with rapidly and happily. From front door staff to the maid everyone was pleaseant and professional. The aloha spirit is abundant. The manager Terry helped us with special requests for rooms after booking through an online agency and we couldn't have been more impressed with the accommodations and amenities. The hotel's exterior is non-descript among the concrete jungle of Waikiki, but the interior is modern and clean. With its proximity to mega-hotels you can catch shuttles to tours and activities within a half-block or less. Resturants in the area are plentiful as well. We loved the oceanarium buffet, the food and view (3 story aquarium) were excellent. We were very pleased with Hotel Renew and plan to return in the future. This hotel is a find and hopefully will stay this way.